OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

reds1 · 02-08-2016, 09:34 PM

March 30, 1942

Eastern League: Suns Cruise to Playoffs, Legends Hang On

--------

The Embro Suns are returning to the post-season after a three-year absence. And just like last time, they will face the Brunswick Legends in the battle for the Eastern League pennant. But while 89 games was good enough to capture first place back in 1938-39, the Suns cruised to the playoffs this season with 100 victories, the best mark in the United Leagues.

The Embro’s offense was the class of the East (.281/.362/.413 – 1st/1st/1st). Only in strikeouts (628 – 7th) did they struggle. Pitching was strong as well (3.42/3.32/4.22 – 2nd/2nd/6th), with the bullpen making a modest improvement over the last two months. The defense regressed (.696 – 3rd), if ever slightly. The Suns appear to be a formidable opponent heading into the playoffs.

Top Position Player – Season: This was a very difficult choice. 1B Jim Friend (.331/.422/.523, 22 HR, 145 RBI, 123 R, 101 BB, 7.2 WAR) was dominant this year, winning three Batter of the Month Awards and five Player of the Week Awards. But CF Terence Durney (.315/.399/.472, 12 HR, 98 RBI, 138 R, 91 BB, 15 SB, 7.4 WAR) was no slouch either, although he only received two Player of the Week Awards. All-in-all though, I’m going to go with Durney, as his defense (12.6 ZR, 1.003 EFF, 7 E) in the outfield was superior to Friend’s at 1B (3.3 ZR, 1.017 EFF, 21 E). While I’ve always been partial to the long ball, Durney’s all-round game just couldn’t be ignored.

Top Pitcher – Season: Embro boasted three starters this season with 20+ victories and another with 19. SP Pete Allison (22-9, 2.90 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 5.4 WAR) enjoyed his first season with an ERA below 4.00. However, he did start to struggle just a little in the final two months (5-4, 3.69 ERA). But 32-year old SP Colm Soper (22-8, 2.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 7.2 WAR) was steady all season, demonstrating why he is rated as the No. 1 pitcher in the entire ULB. This is the second season Soper has won 20+ games. In the ULB’s inaugural season, he also won 22 games.

Key Injuries: SP Jake Fewings (7-4, 3.85 ERA, 1.41 WHIP. 1.6 WAR) was diagnosed with radial nerve compression while pitching in a game on February 4. He is out for a further 2-3 months.

Noteworthy: In a close race, Jim Friend won the Eastern League batting title with a .3311 AVG, with 200 H in 604 AB. 2B Rhett Curnow of the Stratford Barons was second, with a 0.3309 AVG (184 H in 556 AB). Curnow won the EL batting title last year (.355).

On February 1, 2B Kian Meadmore (.270/.383/.440, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 64 R, 73 BB, 3.1 WAR) became the third player in ULB history to hit three home runs in a single game. He accomplished the feat in a game against the Sherburn Tigers, going 3-4 with 4 RBI and 3 R. The Suns prevailed 5-4. Meadmore was acquired in a trade with the Queensland Eagles back on December 9.

On March 8, SP Edward Hill (21-12, 3.57 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 4.1 WAR) set the ULB record for most strikeouts in a single game with 13 in a game against the Cobourg Red Stockings. He eclipsed the previous record of 12 held by Henry Akerval of the Queensland Eagles, who had set that mark back on October 26. Despite Hill’s heroics, the Suns lost the game 6-2.

--------

It went down to the final day of the regular season, but the Brunswick Legends managed to hold off a furious pursuit by the Stratford Barons to capture the wild card by a single game and secure their second playoff appearance and first under manager Babe Ruth. A loss to the Queensland Eagles on the final day of the season would have forced a one-game playoff between the Legends and Barons.

The offense struggled a little in the final two months (.273/.349/.401 – 3rd/3rd/2nd), but was very impressive over the course of the season. But the pitching held up (3.30/3.20/3.84 – 1st/1st/3rd) and was strong in nearly all categories. Defensively, they were the best (.710 – 1st).

Top Position Player – Season: 23-year old rookie LF Harry Chatwin (.271/.349/.396, 11 HR, 51 RBI, 101 R, 69 BB, 37 SB, 4.3 WAR) gets the nod here, as he led the team in WAR and was outstanding defensively as well (5.0 ZR, 1.066 EFF, 2 E). He also led the entire ULB in stolen bases.

Top Pitcher – Season: LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (18-8, 2.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 7.4 WAR) was the most consistent pitcher on the roster this season, although Hirotada Fukushima (22-7, 3.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 4.3 WAR) led the team in victories.

Key Injuries: RF Mark Elston (.373/.495/.582, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 43 R, 37 BB) ruptured his Achilles tendon in a game back on December 13. He is gone for the season (2-3 months).

--------

Despite a furious pursuit that saw the Stratford Barons win 48 games in the final three months of the season (most in the ULB during that stretch), it was just not quite enough to catch the Brunswick Legends, who needed to win the final game of the season to clinch the wild card. For the Barons, it will be all about what went ‘wrong’ this season after the defending United Cup champions failed to make the playoffs. No doubt they will look ruefully at November, where the team stumbled (12-14).

They can also look to their offense, which regressed this season (.269/.345/.396 – 4th/4th/4th), after being ranked No. 1 last season in the East. Pitching meanwhile, held its own, as both the starting rotation and bullpen finished with an identical ERA (3.47/3.47/3.47 – 3rd /3rd/1st). Defensively, they were fourth in the EL (.695).

Top Position Player – Season: SS Jake Walker (.313/.418/.470, 7 HR, 80 RBI, 107 R, 103 BB, 5.8 WAR) was excellent all season, but he really stepped it up in March, batting .365/.479/.510.

Top Pitcher – Season: No surprise here, as 31-year old LHP Joel Fearn (25-8, 2.61 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 8.3 WAR) is one of the best starting pitchers in the ULB, rated No. 2 overall. In the final two months of the season, he went 8-3, 2.25 ERA.

Key Injuries: After an uneven start to the season, SP Darwin Monday (8-8, 4.28 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 1.5 WAR) was shut down, due to shoulder inflammation suffered on January 24. He is out for further 2-3 months.

CF Ben Watson (.282/.349/.414, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 95 R, 57 BB, 17 SB, 3.1 WAR) suffered a torn hamstring in a game back on February 25. He is out of commission for another 7-8 weeks.

--------

The Braeland City Monarchs put up a game fight, but in the end, they ran out of steam. The Monarchs went 49-27 from December to February and threatened to be a player in the wild card chase, but stumbled in the final month to finish 7 games back.

Both the offense (.277/.351/.401 – 2nd/2nd/3rd) and especially the pitching (3.71/3.68/3.93 – 4th/4th/4th) got stronger as the season wore on. The defense was rated the worst in the Eastern League (.679 – 8th).

Top Position Player – Season: 28-year old SS Adam Ashley (.305/.359/.423, 6 HR, 82 RBI, 98 R, 52 BB, 19 SB, 5.8 WAR) was Braeland City’s best overall player this season; leading in a number of offensive categories and was simply outstanding on defense (11.7 ZR, 1.030 EFF, 36 E).

Top Pitcher – Season: SP David Cooling proved that last season was not a fluke, as he went 23-9, 2.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.9 WAR. It’s the third straight year that he has reached the 20-win plateau (20 in 1939/40; 21 in 1940/41 and 23 this season) and his second sub-3.00 ERA effort.

Key Injuries: IF Finlay Ridd (.258/.333/.293, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 26 R, 29 BB) tore a posterior cruciate ligament while running the bases in a game back on December 13. He is out for 3 more months.

32-year old SP Lenny Freke (18-12, 3.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 6.3 WAR) suffered a torn rotator cuff on March 15. He will be out a further 5-6 months.

--------

The Wellington Athletics surged in February and March, winning 33 games and finishing the fifth straight season with over 80 victories. But the fact is, they still finished 10.0 games out of a playoff spot and are at a crossroads. The Athletics realized as such, when they announced that their team focus is now ‘rebuild’ back in December. It will be interesting to see what Wellington does in the offseason.

That said both the offense (.268/.336/.396 – 5th/6th/5th) and pitching (3.92/3.85/4.35 – 5th/5th/7th) improved in the final two months. Defense was rated 6th (.689).

Top Position Player – Season: 2B Brian Main (.293/.362/.449, 11 HR, 94 RBI, 96 R, 65 BB, 8 SB, 5.6 WAR) was Wellington’s most consistent player. He was simply outstanding in the final three months of the season, hitting .360, .321 and .343 in Jan/Feb/ Mar respectively. He was steady defensively as well (8.6 ZR, 1.036 EFF, 17 E).

Top Pitcher – Season: SP Clyde Boney (12-17, 3.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 7.7 WAR) did not have the best run support, but he led his team in a host of pitching categories and gets the nod as his team’s best pitcher this season.

Key Injuries: 30-year old CF Scott Orchard (.255/.326/.375, 5 HR, 51 RBI, 59 R, 44 BB, 13 SB, 1.1 WAR) tore an abdominal muscle in a game back on March 19. He should be fully recovered in 4 weeks.

SP Soren Heinke (10-14, 3.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3.5 WAR) tore a rotator cuff back on February 28. The former Rookie of the Year winner should be back to throwing in 4 months.

--------

After embarking on a major rebuild back in December, the Queensland Eagles played out the string in the season’s final two months. The Eagles’ roster has been depleted and as a result, their overall performance suffered.
The offense (.265/.337/.370 – 6th/5th/6th) held up fairly well after the trades, but the pitching (4.00/4.00/4.01 – 6th/6th/5rd) saw a notable regression.

Top Position Player – Season: C Dave Wilson (.317/.370/.475, 16 HR, 100 RBI, 50 R, 47 BB, 5.1 WAR) remains as perhaps Queensland’s most bankable star, at least on offense. His defense is not the best (-5.7 ZR, .937 EFF, 10 E, 15 PB), but it was an improvement over last season (-7.1 ZR, .836 EFF, 24 E, 9 PB).

Top Pitcher – Season: Like Wilson on offense, 34-year old SP Stewart Colcott (14-19, 4.14 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 6.3 WAR) remains Queensland’s most recognizable player on the pitching staff. He has never won more than 15 games in a season, but he is an absolute workhorse who led the team in complete games (21), innings pitched (276.0), walks per 9 IP (2.3) and K/BB (1.30). He is also remarkably durable, as he only suffered a bruised shin (day-to-day) back in October. It was his first injury since 1938.

Key Injuries: 27-year old LF Terry Aspden (.256/.337/.394, 8 HR, 70 RBI, 75 R, 65 BB, 1.7 WAR) was diagnosed with an oblique strain back on March 13. He should be fully healed in a couple of weeks.

--------

The Downie Chiefs ended the 1941-42 season on a high note of sorts, winning 14 and 11 games in February and March respectively, the first time all season they were able to win more than 9 games in a month. For their efforts, they escaped the Eastern League basement and surrendered the 1st overall pick in next year’s Amateur Draft. C'est la vie.

The Chiefs’ farm system is rated 8th overall, so a little more high-end talent is always welcome. Their offense (.261/.325/.355 – 7th/7th/7th) continued to slide as the season progressed and the pitching (4.79/4.87/4.39 – 8th/7th/8th) was not much of a strength either. Defensively, they continued to improve, however, finishing 2nd in the East (.699).

Top Position Player – Season: 1B William Tozer (.295/.392/.467, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 84 R, 90 BB, 3.4 WAR) led his team in a slew of offensive categories, but defensively, had a down year (-4.1 ZR, .959 EFF, 17 E). Thus, I’ll give the nod to 2B Wayne Balmer (.273/.331/.393, 7 HR, 66 RBI, 80 R, 54 BB, 7 SB, 4.3 WAR), as he was excellent in the field (10.0 ZR, 1.023 EFF, 33 E).

Top Pitcher – Season: Just a forgettable year for Downie pitching. That said, SP Reece Abberley (13-17, 4.66 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 1.3 WAR), had his moments, including pitching a no-hitter, the second in ULB history, back in December.

Key Injuries: None.

--------

Another forgetful season is in the books for the Cobourg Red Stockings, as the club recorded its fourth consecutive last place finish and second consecutive season with more than 100 losses. They lost 103 games last year. It also earns them their second consecutive No. 1 pick in next season’s Amateur Draft.

The season was not entirely without hope, though, in terms of rookie performances. C Neil Voigt (.242/.302/.335, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 60 R, 42 BB, 1.6 WAR) hit .282, .319 and .260 in the final three months of the season. He failed to hit higher than .217 in any of the first three months.

LF Cliff Jordan (.266/.306/.357, 7 HR, 62 RBI, 72 R, 35 BB, 19 SB, 1.4 WAR) hit above .270 in three of the six months, including March, where he won Rookie of the Month honours. He was outstanding in the field as well (7.2 ZR, 1.097 EFF, 0 E).

SP Ramón Ramírez (8-9, 4.98 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 0.6 WAR) saw his performance improve with each passing month, finishing with a record of 2-2, 3.40 ERA in 5 starts in March.

Still, it wasn’t enough to salvage the overall offense (.250/.309/.349 – 8th/8th/8th) and pitching (4.74/4.95/3.71 – 7th/8th/2nd). Defense was nothing to write home about either (.683 – 7th).

Top Position Player – Season: 2B Matthew Lane (.293/.385/.462, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 39 R, 49 BB, 2.9 WAR) was his team’s top position player this season.

Top Pitcher – Season: Yeesh. SP Aiden Tassell came out on top on most pitching categories on his team, but you wouldn’t know from his record: 7-24, 4.59 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 2.1 WAR. It was a tough year. But there’s always next year.

Key Injuries: 24-year old RP Tom Mayor (2-0, 11 SV, 3.15 ERA, -0.3 WAR) fractured a finger on March 26. He is out for 6 months.

3B Shelby Cain (.229/.303/.327, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 40 R, 44 BB, 12 SB, 0.9 WAR) who was drafted first overall at this season’s Amateur Draft and spent most this season with the big club, suffered a sore knee on the last day of the season. He is out for a week.

SP George Blankley (8-19, 5.01 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 1.2 WAR) broke his hand in a game back on March 8. He is out of commission for another 5 months.

--------

02-08-2016, 09:34 PM	#204
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	March 30, 1942 Eastern League: Suns Cruise to Playoffs, Legends Hang On -------- The Embro Suns are returning to the post-season after a three-year absence. And just like last time, they will face the Brunswick Legends in the battle for the Eastern League pennant. But while 89 games was good enough to capture first place back in 1938-39, the Suns cruised to the playoffs this season with 100 victories, the best mark in the United Leagues. The Embro’s offense was the class of the East (.281/.362/.413 – 1st/1st/1st). Only in strikeouts (628 – 7th) did they struggle. Pitching was strong as well (3.42/3.32/4.22 – 2nd/2nd/6th), with the bullpen making a modest improvement over the last two months. The defense regressed (.696 – 3rd), if ever slightly. The Suns appear to be a formidable opponent heading into the playoffs. *Top Position Player – Season:* This was a very difficult choice. 1B Jim Friend (.331/.422/.523, 22 HR, 145 RBI, 123 R, 101 BB, 7.2 WAR) was dominant this year, winning three Batter of the Month Awards and five Player of the Week Awards. But CF Terence Durney (.315/.399/.472, 12 HR, 98 RBI, 138 R, 91 BB, 15 SB, 7.4 WAR) was no slouch either, although he only received two Player of the Week Awards. All-in-all though, I’m going to go with Durney, as his defense (12.6 ZR, 1.003 EFF, 7 E) in the outfield was superior to Friend’s at 1B (3.3 ZR, 1.017 EFF, 21 E). While I’ve always been partial to the long ball, Durney’s all-round game just couldn’t be ignored. *Top Pitcher – Season:* Embro boasted three starters this season with 20+ victories and another with 19. SP Pete Allison (22-9, 2.90 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 5.4 WAR) enjoyed his first season with an ERA below 4.00. However, he did start to struggle just a little in the final two months (5-4, 3.69 ERA). But 32-year old SP Colm Soper (22-8, 2.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 7.2 WAR) was steady all season, demonstrating why he is rated as the No. 1 pitcher in the entire ULB. This is the second season Soper has won 20+ games. In the ULB’s inaugural season, he also won 22 games. *Key Injuries:* SP Jake Fewings (7-4, 3.85 ERA, 1.41 WHIP. 1.6 WAR) was diagnosed with radial nerve compression while pitching in a game on February 4. He is out for a further 2-3 months. *Noteworthy:* In a close race, Jim Friend won the Eastern League batting title with a .3311 AVG, with 200 H in 604 AB. 2B Rhett Curnow of the Stratford Barons was second, with a 0.3309 AVG (184 H in 556 AB). Curnow won the EL batting title last year (.355). On February 1, 2B Kian Meadmore (.270/.383/.440, 11 HR, 62 RBI, 64 R, 73 BB, 3.1 WAR) became the third player in ULB history to hit three home runs in a single game. He accomplished the feat in a game against the Sherburn Tigers, going 3-4 with 4 RBI and 3 R. The Suns prevailed 5-4. Meadmore was acquired in a trade with the Queensland Eagles back on December 9. On March 8, SP Edward Hill (21-12, 3.57 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 4.1 WAR) set the ULB record for most strikeouts in a single game with 13 in a game against the Cobourg Red Stockings. He eclipsed the previous record of 12 held by Henry Akerval of the Queensland Eagles, who had set that mark back on October 26. Despite Hill’s heroics, the Suns lost the game 6-2. -------- It went down to the final day of the regular season, but the Brunswick Legends managed to hold off a furious pursuit by the Stratford Barons to capture the wild card by a single game and secure their second playoff appearance and first under manager Babe Ruth. A loss to the Queensland Eagles on the final day of the season would have forced a one-game playoff between the Legends and Barons. The offense struggled a little in the final two months (.273/.349/.401 – 3rd/3rd/2nd), but was very impressive over the course of the season. But the pitching held up (3.30/3.20/3.84 – 1st/1st/3rd) and was strong in nearly all categories. Defensively, they were the best (.710 – 1st). *Top Position Player – Season:* 23-year old rookie LF Harry Chatwin (.271/.349/.396, 11 HR, 51 RBI, 101 R, 69 BB, 37 SB, 4.3 WAR) gets the nod here, as he led the team in WAR and was outstanding defensively as well (5.0 ZR, 1.066 EFF, 2 E). He also led the entire ULB in stolen bases. *Top Pitcher – Season:* LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (18-8, 2.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 7.4 WAR) was the most consistent pitcher on the roster this season, although Hirotada Fukushima (22-7, 3.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 4.3 WAR) led the team in victories. *Key Injuries:* RF Mark Elston (.373/.495/.582, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 43 R, 37 BB) ruptured his Achilles tendon in a game back on December 13. He is gone for the season (2-3 months). -------- Despite a furious pursuit that saw the Stratford Barons win 48 games in the final three months of the season (most in the ULB during that stretch), it was just not quite enough to catch the Brunswick Legends, who needed to win the final game of the season to clinch the wild card. For the Barons, it will be all about what went ‘wrong’ this season after the defending United Cup champions failed to make the playoffs. No doubt they will look ruefully at November, where the team stumbled (12-14). They can also look to their offense, which regressed this season (.269/.345/.396 – 4th/4th/4th), after being ranked No. 1 last season in the East. Pitching meanwhile, held its own, as both the starting rotation and bullpen finished with an identical ERA (3.47/3.47/3.47 – 3rd /3rd/1st). Defensively, they were fourth in the EL (.695). *Top Position Player – Season:* SS Jake Walker (.313/.418/.470, 7 HR, 80 RBI, 107 R, 103 BB, 5.8 WAR) was excellent all season, but he really stepped it up in March, batting .365/.479/.510. *Top Pitcher – Season:* No surprise here, as 31-year old LHP Joel Fearn (25-8, 2.61 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 8.3 WAR) is one of the best starting pitchers in the ULB, rated No. 2 overall. In the final two months of the season, he went 8-3, 2.25 ERA. *Key Injuries:* After an uneven start to the season, SP Darwin Monday (8-8, 4.28 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 1.5 WAR) was shut down, due to shoulder inflammation suffered on January 24. He is out for further 2-3 months. CF Ben Watson (.282/.349/.414, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 95 R, 57 BB, 17 SB, 3.1 WAR) suffered a torn hamstring in a game back on February 25. He is out of commission for another 7-8 weeks. -------- The Braeland City Monarchs put up a game fight, but in the end, they ran out of steam. The Monarchs went 49-27 from December to February and threatened to be a player in the wild card chase, but stumbled in the final month to finish 7 games back. Both the offense (.277/.351/.401 – 2nd/2nd/3rd) and especially the pitching (3.71/3.68/3.93 – 4th/4th/4th) got stronger as the season wore on. The defense was rated the worst in the Eastern League (.679 – 8th). *Top Position Player – Season:* 28-year old SS Adam Ashley (.305/.359/.423, 6 HR, 82 RBI, 98 R, 52 BB, 19 SB, 5.8 WAR) was Braeland City’s best overall player this season; leading in a number of offensive categories and was simply outstanding on defense (11.7 ZR, 1.030 EFF, 36 E). *Top Pitcher – Season:* SP David Cooling proved that last season was not a fluke, as he went 23-9, 2.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.9 WAR. It’s the third straight year that he has reached the 20-win plateau (20 in 1939/40; 21 in 1940/41 and 23 this season) and his second sub-3.00 ERA effort. *Key Injuries:* IF Finlay Ridd (.258/.333/.293, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 26 R, 29 BB) tore a posterior cruciate ligament while running the bases in a game back on December 13. He is out for 3 more months. 32-year old SP Lenny Freke (18-12, 3.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 6.3 WAR) suffered a torn rotator cuff on March 15. He will be out a further 5-6 months. -------- The Wellington Athletics surged in February and March, winning 33 games and finishing the fifth straight season with over 80 victories. But the fact is, they still finished 10.0 games out of a playoff spot and are at a crossroads. The Athletics realized as such, when they announced that their team focus is now ‘rebuild’ back in December. It will be interesting to see what Wellington does in the offseason. That said both the offense (.268/.336/.396 – 5th/6th/5th) and pitching (3.92/3.85/4.35 – 5th/5th/7th) improved in the final two months. Defense was rated 6th (.689). *Top Position Player – Season:* 2B Brian Main (.293/.362/.449, 11 HR, 94 RBI, 96 R, 65 BB, 8 SB, 5.6 WAR) was Wellington’s most consistent player. He was simply outstanding in the final three months of the season, hitting .360, .321 and .343 in Jan/Feb/ Mar respectively. He was steady defensively as well (8.6 ZR, 1.036 EFF, 17 E). *Top Pitcher – Season:* SP Clyde Boney (12-17, 3.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 7.7 WAR) did not have the best run support, but he led his team in a host of pitching categories and gets the nod as his team’s best pitcher this season. *Key Injuries:* 30-year old CF Scott Orchard (.255/.326/.375, 5 HR, 51 RBI, 59 R, 44 BB, 13 SB, 1.1 WAR) tore an abdominal muscle in a game back on March 19. He should be fully recovered in 4 weeks. SP Soren Heinke (10-14, 3.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3.5 WAR) tore a rotator cuff back on February 28. The former Rookie of the Year winner should be back to throwing in 4 months. -------- After embarking on a major rebuild back in December, the Queensland Eagles played out the string in the season’s final two months. The Eagles’ roster has been depleted and as a result, their overall performance suffered. The offense (.265/.337/.370 – 6th/5th/6th) held up fairly well after the trades, but the pitching (4.00/4.00/4.01 – 6th/6th/5rd) saw a notable regression. *Top Position Player – Season:* C Dave Wilson (.317/.370/.475, 16 HR, 100 RBI, 50 R, 47 BB, 5.1 WAR) remains as perhaps Queensland’s most bankable star, at least on offense. His defense is not the best (-5.7 ZR, .937 EFF, 10 E, 15 PB), but it was an improvement over last season (-7.1 ZR, .836 EFF, 24 E, 9 PB). *Top Pitcher – Season:* Like Wilson on offense, 34-year old SP Stewart Colcott (14-19, 4.14 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 6.3 WAR) remains Queensland’s most recognizable player on the pitching staff. He has never won more than 15 games in a season, but he is an absolute workhorse who led the team in complete games (21), innings pitched (276.0), walks per 9 IP (2.3) and K/BB (1.30). He is also remarkably durable, as he only suffered a bruised shin (day-to-day) back in October. It was his first injury since 1938. *Key Injuries:* 27-year old LF Terry Aspden (.256/.337/.394, 8 HR, 70 RBI, 75 R, 65 BB, 1.7 WAR) was diagnosed with an oblique strain back on March 13. He should be fully healed in a couple of weeks. -------- The Downie Chiefs ended the 1941-42 season on a high note of sorts, winning 14 and 11 games in February and March respectively, the first time all season they were able to win more than 9 games in a month. For their efforts, they escaped the Eastern League basement and surrendered the 1st overall pick in next year’s Amateur Draft. C'est la vie. The Chiefs’ farm system is rated 8th overall, so a little more high-end talent is always welcome. Their offense (.261/.325/.355 – 7th/7th/7th) continued to slide as the season progressed and the pitching (4.79/4.87/4.39 – 8th/7th/8th) was not much of a strength either. Defensively, they continued to improve, however, finishing 2nd in the East (.699). *Top Position Player – Season:* 1B William Tozer (.295/.392/.467, 21 HR, 68 RBI, 84 R, 90 BB, 3.4 WAR) led his team in a slew of offensive categories, but defensively, had a down year (-4.1 ZR, .959 EFF, 17 E). Thus, I’ll give the nod to 2B Wayne Balmer (.273/.331/.393, 7 HR, 66 RBI, 80 R, 54 BB, 7 SB, 4.3 WAR), as he was excellent in the field (10.0 ZR, 1.023 EFF, 33 E). *Top Pitcher – Season:* Just a forgettable year for Downie pitching. That said, SP Reece Abberley (13-17, 4.66 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 1.3 WAR), had his moments, including pitching a no-hitter, the second in ULB history, back in December. *Key Injuries:* None. -------- Another forgetful season is in the books for the Cobourg Red Stockings, as the club recorded its fourth consecutive last place finish and second consecutive season with more than 100 losses. They lost 103 games last year. It also earns them their second consecutive No. 1 pick in next season’s Amateur Draft. The season was not entirely without hope, though, in terms of rookie performances. C Neil Voigt (.242/.302/.335, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 60 R, 42 BB, 1.6 WAR) hit .282, .319 and .260 in the final three months of the season. He failed to hit higher than .217 in any of the first three months. LF Cliff Jordan (.266/.306/.357, 7 HR, 62 RBI, 72 R, 35 BB, 19 SB, 1.4 WAR) hit above .270 in three of the six months, including March, where he won Rookie of the Month honours. He was outstanding in the field as well (7.2 ZR, 1.097 EFF, 0 E). SP Ramón Ramírez (8-9, 4.98 ERA, 1.84 WHIP, 0.6 WAR) saw his performance improve with each passing month, finishing with a record of 2-2, 3.40 ERA in 5 starts in March. Still, it wasn’t enough to salvage the overall offense (.250/.309/.349 – 8th/8th/8th) and pitching (4.74/4.95/3.71 – 7th/8th/2nd). Defense was nothing to write home about either (.683 – 7th). *Top Position Player – Season:* 2B Matthew Lane (.293/.385/.462, 9 HR, 48 RBI, 39 R, 49 BB, 2.9 WAR) was his team’s top position player this season. *Top Pitcher – Season:* Yeesh. SP Aiden Tassell came out on top on most pitching categories on his team, but you wouldn’t know from his record: 7-24, 4.59 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 2.1 WAR. It was a tough year. But there’s always next year. *Key Injuries:* 24-year old RP Tom Mayor (2-0, 11 SV, 3.15 ERA, -0.3 WAR) fractured a finger on March 26. He is out for 6 months. 3B Shelby Cain (.229/.303/.327, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 40 R, 44 BB, 12 SB, 0.9 WAR) who was drafted first overall at this season’s Amateur Draft and spent most this season with the big club, suffered a sore knee on the last day of the season. He is out for a week. SP George Blankley (8-19, 5.01 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 1.2 WAR) broke his hand in a game back on March 8. He is out of commission for another 5 months. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-04-2017 at 07:14 PM.